Boldly Warm – Dawes Point House by Greg Natale

Transforming an existing heritage terrace in inner Sydney, Dawes Point House is given a new sense of purpose, reflecting the current residents through colour and tonal expression. Greg Natale brings both patterns and a layered curation of elements to animate the home across its multiple levels whilst ensuring the original connection to craft and grandeur carries over into the refreshed form.

Combining a love for restraint and a minimalist, linear approach from the owner, together with a signature exploration of colour and pattern, Greg Natale draws from the personalities of those dwelling within to create the ultimate reflection of personality through place. Home to a family of four, the structure sees a series of feminine subtleties folded into the original proportions of the form, together with softened geometric and transitional elements throughout, creating an internal journey in the process. Spread over four levels, the original terrace home was virtually gutted to create a blank canvas for the new form, maintaining the original lofted ceilings yet reworking the planning to reflect a more contemporary way of living.

Home to a family of four, the structure sees a series of feminine subtleties folded into the original proportions of the form, together with softened geometric and transitional elements throughout, creating an internal journey in the process.

The original renovation only applied to the kitchen, where the client wanted to rework this central element of the residence. Expanding to then encase the residence entirely, the new form brings a sense of order across the internal and external spaces and ensures that the existing heritage terrace is given the chance to continue its legacy in the coming chapters. Pale pinks and blush tones contrast with black detailing throughout, where a playful approach sees arched openings soften the transition between spaces, including the dining and kitchen areas, without the need to enclose them.

Opening up the home allowed for the grand scale of its parts to be highlighted even further. Connecting the bedrooms on the first level is a bridge with ornately detailed brass balustrading that then carries into the main staircase and opens up into a multi-level void to the floor below. The newly crafted double-height dining space is brought to life with its own custom wall motif, referencing a postmodern palette. Enhancing this approach is the use of various terrazzo finishes throughout, with curved elements carrying into the joinery in the kitchen, bathrooms and bedrooms.

Pale pinks and blush tones contrast with black detailing throughout, where a playful approach sees arched openings soften the transition between spaces.

By blending the existing grandeur and height of Dawes Point House with a reflective and personalised expression, the owners will undoubtably continue to make the dwelling their own. Applying a boldness to the interpretation of how heritage and contemporary can come together, Greg Natale focuses on the energy that colour and texture can bring as the main inspiration.